Vehicle Data Hub

2012 Lincoln MKT problems

Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lincoln MKT. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 57% of complaints. Next are engine (11%) and electrical system (9%).

At a glance

Complaints
35 filed with NHTSA
Most reported
Steering 57% of complaints
Crashes and fires
0 and 0
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0
Typical mileage
82,000 miles 28 complaints with mileage

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

Where the complaints are

Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  • Steering 57%
  • Engine 11%
  • Electrical system 9%
  • Drivetrain & axles 6%
  • Body & structure 6%
  • Exhaust system 3%
  • Fuel system 3%
  • Stability control 3%

When problems show up

Complaints by mileage, 2012 Lincoln MKT Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 82,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 5 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 2 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 3 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 1 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 9 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 1 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 0 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 3 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 1 complaints 200k+ miles: 3 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 82,000 miles
Based on 28 complaints that include mileage. 36% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles5
20k to 40k miles2
40k to 60k miles3
60k to 80k miles1
80k to 100k miles9
100k to 120k miles1
120k to 140k miles0
140k to 160k miles3
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles1
200k+ miles3

What the data shows

Of the 28 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 82,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 115,000 miles (15 complaints with mileage).

None of these complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 100% of model years in our database.

Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2012 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 7 model years of the Lincoln MKT with enough data (8 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.

What owners wrote

A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 lincoln mkt the contact was traveling between 60-75 MPH when the driver's seat and steering wheel started to shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 33 and the current mileage was 3,500.

Reported at 33 miles, May 2012

Power liftgate opened without command while being driven on highway without command and would not respond to interior control or keyfob to close and had to close manually. Liftgate opened on three additional occasions within 45 mins of the first occurrence. The third occurrence resulted in the liftgate being damaged, (repair est at $2,500), while entering an underground parking garage. In all occurrences, the liftgate had to be closed manually as it would not respond to the interior control or keyfob.

Reported at 3,100 miles, October 2012

The contact's grandmother owned a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that when his grandmother was starting the vehicle, she experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall.

Reported at 45,000 miles, November 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that the twin-turbo became inoperable. The contact stated that oil was entering the exhaust and the contact was unable to see other vehicles. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline.

Reported at 82,000 miles, January 2021

Other model years of the MKT

Best and worst years for the Lincoln MKT